Scrap N Grow

Posts Tagged ‘Home Decor’

Good afternoon everyone.  I hope your week is off to a good start. Mine has been a bit winter like yet as I awoke to yet another 3 inches of heavy, white snow.  If it were not April, I would say it was incredibly beautiful and picturesque…but being that it was April…arrrrgghhh.  This was our 3rd spring snowstorm here in MN this year…please Mother Nature…I am begging you to let it be spring….

I absolutely love spring as it is a time of rebirth and renewal.  This is also true for our backyard feathered friends, birds.  If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a passionate and avid gardener, but you may not have known that I also enjoy bird watching.  My home’s landscape is a certified wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Foundation and has a 5000 sq ft. professionally maintained native prairie restoration garden.  These two habitats provide birds with food, housing, water, and cover from predators; all of which are critical for birds to reproduce healthy offspring. Pictured below is a picture of my native prairie restoration garden from last year.

Native Prairie Restoration Garden

Birds have their pick of nesting accommodations within my home’s landscape: bird houses, trees, shrubs, potted containers, under the eaves of our deck,etc.. ..I really do not mind.  However, I do have to keep watch and observe closely in order to locate various bird’s nests so that I do not accidentally disturb them.  Today’s featured project was inspired by my study of bird’s nests over the past years.

Egg Study Shadow Box

Pictured above is an egg study shadow box containing an artful interpretation of nine of my favorite backyard visitors eggs. I  applied a coat of Ver Day Iron paint to a recycled a shallow cloth gift box. Afterwards,  I lined the shadow box with tissue paper from 7 Gypsies and applied a top coat of matte Mod Podge. The eggs are paper mache and were painted with various colors of acrylic paints and adhered to the inside of the box with Helmar Scrap Dots. Next, I created a label for the box using a Dymo label maker and inserted the Dymo label into an Ideology label pull.  Lastly, I attached a saw tooth hanger on the back side.

Overall, this was a fun project to make and would be a great project if you have kids.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I will be back soon with another inspiring project to share.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone. It is finally Friday!!!! My week 3 VerDay Online Class assignment is ready for you.  I decided to think outside the box and complete my assignment on a 8X10 canvas.

Poppy Pod Canvas

I do not feel comfortable about going  into specifics in regards to techniques used on the canvas out of respect for those of us who have paid to take the online class. I used a new poppy stencil from Michelle Ward and her coordinating stamps for the label. I love how this canvas turned out. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone.  This canvas is the result of a what if….. moment.  Below are a few close ups.

Poppy Pods Canvas Close Up #1

Poppy Pods Canvas Close Up #2

Poppy Pods Canvas Close Up #3

Poppy Canvas Close Up Of Label

Be brave and embrace your inner thoughts.  I am yet embellishing my week 2 assignments and will post those as soon as they are finished.  Thank you for stopping by.  Don’t forget to sign up for my $30 gift card drawing to help celebrate my first blog-o-versary. Click here to sign up. Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning and Happy April Fool’s Day everyone!  I can hardly believe it is already April.  I have an amazing treat in store for you today, a new Paperie in Bloom tutorial.  I absolutely love with this month’s Paperie In Bloom featured flower, forced magnolia branches.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

If this is your first time visiting Scrap N Grow, Paperie in Bloom is a monthly blog feature.  Each month on or about the first, I select a new flower/bloom to showcase. Then throughout the month, I feature additional inspiring projects to highlight the chose bloom of the month.  Last month, we made a spring bulb garden box over the course of 4 weeks.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013, Spring Bulb Garden Box

This month’s Paperie In Bloom is the magnolia. I am smitten with magnolia’s impressive size and sweet smelling blooms that scream Spring to me.  Consider yourself forewarned that the tutorial is a long one…but well worth it. Grab a beverage and enjoy.

Magnolia Branches Supply List:

Provocraft Gypsy and Cricut Electronic Die Cutting Machine

Cricut Cartridge: Flower Shoppe (Image used is 3rd row down and 4th image in from left hand side)

Bazzill Card Stock.

Coloring Agent if not making white magnolias.  I used Distress Ink Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry

Mini Mister

Jewelry Wire, Flat Nose Jewelry Pliers, and Wire Cutter

Inkessentials Glossy Accents

Hinge Clips of Jaw Clamps

Magnolia Branches Instructions:

1. Select petal shape and size accordingly to your preference (mine are approximately 1X4 inches). I used die cut image from the Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge.

2. Die cut petals. I cut 12 for each single bloom, 24 for each double bloom, and 6 for each magnolia bud.

3. Color petals as desired with a coloring agent.  I used Ranger’s Distress Inks Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry. Once colored on both sides, I used a mini mister to blend the colors for a gradation of color effect.

4. Next, cut a length of thin gauge jewelry wire about an inch shorter than the length of the petal.

5. Slightly bend one petal so that you form a center crease.  Place a bead of Inkessentials Glossy Accents and lay wire into adhesive.

6. Lay a second petal on top of petal with wire to create a wire sandwich. Use a set of hinge clips or jaw clamps to hold together until dry. This is to prevent rippling seam edges.

7. Once wired petals are dry, go ahead and lightly shape them as desired.

Pictured below are a few close ups.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Magnolia Flower In Bud Close Up

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Single Magnolia Bloom Close Up

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Double Magnolia Bloom Close Up

Final Assembly Instructions:

1. Gather supplies including: faux branches, hot glue gun and heat safe mat, and tweezers.

2. For each branch, I made one magnolia bud, one single bloom, and two double blooms for a total of 4 flowers on each branch.  To save time, I used fuzzy faux branches for mine and repurposed 1/2 inch plastic cup circles from my stash of artificial stems.  Other viable options include using real branches or floral tape wrapped wire branches covered with Flower Soft or Flocking Powder.

3. Using a hot glue gun, adhere 3 petals in a triangular pattern. Adhere next 4 petals offset to the first three for a single bloom and for the bud.  Repeat this step 2 more times for a double bloom. NOTE: If your center base does not have a center hole already, be sure to punch one before adhering petals. This is where your flower will attach to the faux branch. For the bud, I used a tiny Styrofoam egg shape in the very center to help shape and give substance to the bud.

4. Once all flower assemblies are complete, attach flowers to faux branches and shape again as desired.

Magnolia ID Tag Supply List:

2 Tags

Twist Tie

PSX Magnolia Stamp

Versamark Embossing Ink Pad

Ranger Black Superfine Detail Embossing Powder

Heat Tool

Non Stick Craft Sheet

Ranger Water Brush

Distress Paint: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, and Walnut Stain

Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad

Magnolia ID Tag Instructions:

1. Stamp and emboss magnolia image onto tag using Versamark embossing ink and Ranger’s Superfine Detail Embossing Powder.

2. Color as desired using various colors of Ranger Distress Paints with a water brush.

3. Adhere additional tag to backside of tag for a clean tag back.

4. Lightly ink the edges with a complimentary color around the edges.

5. Lastly, secure tag to magnolia branches with either a ribbon, string, or a twist tie.

Pictured below is a close up of my magnolia tag.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches ID Tag

Finally, display your new faux magnolia branches in a desired vessel. I used a tall glass cylinder for mine and placed polished river rock in the bottom for accent.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed this month’s featured Paperie In Bloom flower.  Stay tuned for I have completed additional VerDay projects from week two of my ongoing online class.  Have a fabulous day and Happy April Fool’s Day.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone and Happy New Year!  Today I am pleased to present January’s Paperie In Bloom, forsythia branches.

Paperie In Bloom: January 2013 Forsythia Branches

For those of you who are visiting for the first time, Paperie In Bloom is a monthly feature here at Scrap N Grow.  Each month, I select a bloom to showcase.  Then throughout the remainder of the month, I showcase additional ideas and inspiration featuring the bloom of the month.  I also provide complete instructions for each featured bloom.

This month’s featured bloom die cut is from the Provocraft Mother’s Day Cricut Cartridge.  I die cut approximate 40 1.5 inch, 30 1 inch, and 20 0.75 inch flowers. I have provided a screen shot below.

Paperie In Bloom: January 2013 Forsythia Bloom Cricut Cut Used

Once all flowers were die cut. I inked both sides with either Squeezed Lemonade or Mustard Seed Distress Ink by Ranger.  I used 2 different colors to provide petals in bloom at different stages.  I also used 2 different colors of card stock, Bazzill Sunbeam and Bazzill Lemonade.

Next, I used a McGill Molding Mat and 6mm Ball Stylus to mold and form each flower.

Paperie In Bloom: January 2013 Forsythia Bloom Close Up

Lastly, in an effort to save time, I used faux forsythia branch stems I had on hand and adhered my flowers to each branch stem. I used the centers from the faux forsythia branches as well. To do this, I used a hole punch through each paper flower and slid the faux center through the hole and then reattached flower to the faux branch.  One advantage to using faux branches, is the fact that they already have the wire encased allowing the ability to manipulate the completed branches.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Stay tuned as I have a few other inspiring ideas that I will feature throughout this month that highlight the beauty and vibrancy of the forsythia flower.  I will be back in Monday with another inspiring creation.  Have a great weekend.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone.  How have you been?  I have missed interacting with all of you.  I have been so busy with our basement finishing project and truly miss my creative play time.  I am in the process of completing January’s Paperie In Bloom which will debut later this week.

I wanted to thank each and every visitor this past year to Scrap N Grow for your support and encouraging comments.  The Scrap N Grow blog idea was born long before she was presented to the world.  It took a lot of determination and perseverance for me to finally attempt to learn how to blog, edit photos, etc.  I am very grateful for my readers, fellow friends and family for their encouragement this past year. Because of everyone’s amazing support, Scrap N Grow readership has continued to grow each and every month since my first post last April. I still have so much more to learn and ideas to share with you in the coming year here at Scrap N Grow.

I, like many of you, each year seem to pause and reflect on the past year.  I thought it would be fun as I was curious to look at which posts generated the most buzz (readership) here at Scrap N Grow.  I have placed the top 5 posts based upon readership in ascending order along with links to the original post.

5th  Place was a tie between metal embossed picture frames and metal embossed coffee tumblers.

Metal Embossed Picture Frames

Metal Embossed Stainless Steel Coffee Tumblers

4th Place was Paperie In Bloom’s debut bouquet of hydrangeas back in August.

Paperie In Bloom: August 2012 Hydrangea Bouquet

3rd Place was my bouquet of peonies which was recently published in the 2013 Cricut Home Decor Idea Book.

Bouquet of Peonies published in 2013 Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

2nd Place was my bouquet of orange poppies.

Bouquet of Orange Poppies

and the most popular post of 2012 was………………………September’s Paperie In Bloom Sunflower Bouquet.

Paperie In Bloom: September 2012 Sunflower Bouquet

I wish to thank Google Analytics for tracking Scrap N Grow’s statistics.  It is evident that yourself and fellow readers are interested in seeing more blooms and more metal projects.  So in 2013, I will definitely be sure to include more flowers and metal inspired projects.  Stay tuned as I have a few other new ideas brewing for 2013.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I greatly appreciate your visit and always appreciate and love your comments. I hope you will stop back later this week for January’s Paperie In Bloom bouquet.  Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone. See you in 2013!

Cheers,

Michelle

Hello, everyone!  I have some exciting news to share with you today. I am officially published not once, but twice within the same publication, Cricut Home Decor Idea Book, on news stands and in book stores now.

Home Decor Cricut Idea Book Cover

I was contacted last June by Northridge Publishing about 2 flower bouquets I recently had featured on my blog, peonies and poppies.  I was over the moon excited to say the least.  Below are pictures of the bouquets I had featured on my blog prior to acceptance of my publishing contract which stated, I had to remove them from my blog until publication is released.

Peony ‘Paperie’ Bouquet

Closeup of Light Pink Peony

Closeup of Dark Pink Peony

Here is a photo of the published pages from Cricut Home Decor Idea Book pages 20 and 21.

Peony Bouquet Featured in Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

Due to space limitations, the idea book does not contain complete instructions.  Click here for complete instructions.

I also had my bouquet of red poppies published in the same idea book pages 56 and 57.

Poppy Bouquet  featured in Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

Below are pictures of my bouquet from my original blog post.

Poppies ‘Paperie’ Bouquet

Poppy ‘Paperie’ Close Up

Again due to space limitations click here for complete instructions in order to make your own poppy ‘Paperie’.

I am so excited to have been published.  My fiance’ comes home late tonight and I am excited to show him my name and projects in print.  Thank you for stopping by today and for sharing in my excitement. It is a real joy for me to be able to combine my passion for gardening alongside my passion and excitement for art.  I will be back on Monday with another inspiring project.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Michelle

Good evening everyone.  Today’s featured project is a decorated candle that showcases this month’s featured bloom, the aster.

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Aster Candle

I paid only one penny for this candle on clearance at Michael’s. The candle features this month’s Paperie In Bloom flower, the aster.  Click here for directions to make the flower.  I adhered the flower to a 2 1/2X12 embossed strip of Ten Seconds Studio metal.  I used Stampin’ up’s Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to emboss the metal strip and adhered the metal strip to the candle using double sided Scor Pal adhesive tape.  A quick and perfect gift ready to give.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by. Please stop back again soon as I am busy working on December’s Paperie In Bloom project which will debut on Monday December 3rd. Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. My fiance and I spent Thanksgiving with his family and his mom served a delicious feast. Today’s featured Paperie In Bloom picture frame project is a great gift idea for any occasion.

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Aster Picture Frame

Paperie In Bloom is an ongoing series here on Scrap N Grow.  Each month, I select a bloom, this month is the aster.  I typically reveal each month’s bloom on or about the first of each month. Then throughout the remainder of the month, I showcase different ideas that highlight the chosen bloom. Today’s idea, a picture frame, makes a great gift for any occasion.

Today’s featured 5X7 picture frame was purchased on sale at Michael’s. I chose this frame for its rustic wood and color.  The asters were created using the Heartfelt Creations Delicate Aster Die Set.  I used two different shades of purple Bazzill card stock for each flower.  Each flower center is accented using a Stampin’ Up clear faceted button.  I colored the faceted buttons using Butterscotch Alcohol Ink by Ranger.

I die cut three layers of flower petals and five leaves using the Delicate Asters Die Set.  I used an Ranger Inkessentials Ink Applicator to highlight flower petals with Dusty Concord Distress Ink and Forest Moss Distress Ink for the leaves.  Afterwards, I molded each petal layer and leaf using an 8mm McGill Ball stylus tool on an McGill molding mat to give each flower added dimension.  I then assembled each flower.  I used a thin set of pop dots in between each flower petal layer and fluffed each layer after I adhered flower onto frame using Inkessentials Glossy Accents adhesive. Lastly, I adhered an Stampin’ Up faceted button that was altered using Butterscotch Alcohol Ink by Ranger.  Pictured below is a closeup of the faceted button.

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Aster Picture Frame Close Up

I love the simplicity of the frame and the punch of color the Asters provide.  I have a gift ready to give.  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I will be back on Wednesday with one last Paperie In Bloom project idea.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good evening everyone. Today is November 1st and that means a new featured Paperie In Bloom flower.  November’s featured bloom is the aster.  I love these perennial performers.  In my zone 4 climate, they bloom late in the season after many other perennials and shrubs have quit blooming.  Many varieties of Asters can even handle a light frost. Asters are hardy in most regions and are available in many different flower head styles as well as colors. Today’s featured bouquet mimics one of my favorite fringed purple varieties.

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Bouquet of Asters

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Bouquet of Asters Close Up

I used my Provocraft electronic die cutting machine to die cut each flower’s parts.  I have listed the cartridges and die cut sizes below.

Nifty Fifties Cricut Art cartridge.

Daisy flower head 3.50 Height Cut 4 for each flower.

I used 2 shades of Bazzill card stock for the flower petals, Pansy and Grape Delight. I cut 2 of each color and alternated them during final flower assembly. Flower petals were color enhanced on both sides using an Inkessentials ink blending tool and Dusty Concord Distress ink. Afterwards, I used Martha Stewart’s fringe scissors and fringed each petal.  I then used an 8mm McGill ball stylus to mold the flower petals. Next, I used a drop of Inkessentials Glossy Accents adhesive to assemble flower petal layers together alternating each of the 2 colors.

Just Because Cards Cricut Art cartridge.

Sun die cut. Die cut a total of 3 suns for each flower’s center. Cut 1 at Height 2.12, cut 2 at 1.50 Height.

I used Bazzill Lemonade card stock.  Flower centers were color enhanced on both sides using an Inkessentials ink blending tool and Mustard Seed Distress ink. Next, I used an 8mm McGill ball stylus to mold the flower’s center parts. I then scrunched each part to give dimension before using a drop of Inkessentials Glossy Accents adhesive to layer flower center parts together.  Lastly, I adhered flower center to flower petals.

In all, I made 35 flowers for the bouquet above.  I adhered the paper blooms to artificial aster flower foliage that I had and arranged stems in an antique pitcher that was my mom’s.  I am very pleased with the final result.  They were so much fun to make.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I truly appreciate and am grateful for each and every one of you who takes time to visit. As a thank you, I have a set of 3 Fall Distress inks as a giveaway. Simply leave a comment to be eligible to win.  I will draw a name next Thursday evening and announce the winner here on the blog on Friday, November 9th. The winner has 2 weeks to email me their contact information.  Thank you again for stopping by. I will be back on Monday with another inspiring project.   Have a great weekend.

Michelle

Good Evening and Happy Halloween to you.  Today’s post is a two in one.  First, I have a featured project to share with you today, a chrysanthemum canvas.  Today’s canvas is part of an ongoing monthly Scrap N Grow blog feature called Paperie In Bloom. For those of you who are first time visitors, each month I select a different bloom to feature. Then throughout the month, I feature additional projects and ideas that highlight that month’s particular bloom. This month’s featured bloom is the chrysanthemum. Below is a picture of a recently completed 16X20 canvas.

Paperie In Bloom: October 2012 Chrysanthemum Canvas

I tried real hard to photograph the varying depths of colors in this bloom.  It is so beautiful in person.  The canvas measures 16×20.  To begin, I applied a base coat of Mocha Kaisercraft acrylic paint to the canvas.  Once dry, I adhered several layers of Tim Holtz’s Defitinitions tissue paper from Ideaology using Mod Podge matte adhesive. Afterwards, I stenciled a chrysanthemum (Source: Cutting Edge Stencils) to the canvas using  Golden’s Light Modeling Paste.  I applied a pretty thick layer and let the canvas dry overnight. The next day, I applied a thin, watery coat of Yellow Ochre Golden acrylic paint over the entire stenciled flower including the negative space.  I then applied several more layers of paints, each additional coat of paint was darker than the last. I tried to emulate a light shadow. Additional colors used in order of light to dark: Indian Yellow Hue, Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, and Quinacridone Gold.  I love this color palette from Golden Acrylics.  After the acrylics were dry, I used various orange and yellow Faber Castell Big Brush India ink markers to add fine detail and additional shading to the flower.  It took me an entire week, a little bit everyday, to apply the multiple layers of paint.  The result is incredible in person and am sad that I had such difficulty photographing this.

I free handed the stem and used Liquitex Vivid Lime Green heavy body acrylic paint and Chromium Oxide Green Dick Blick acrylic paint. I applied additional highlight and shading using various green shades of Faber Castell Big Brush India ink markers.

Lastly, I finished the canvas’s edges with the same colors as used in the bloom, and die cut the word chrysanthemum using my Provocraft Electronic Die Cutting Machine. Letters were adhered with Inkessentials Glossy Accents adhesive.

If you enjoyed today’s canvas, I included a of recap of links below to other Paperie In Bloom projects I featured earlier this month.

Paperie In Bloom Chrysanthemum Memo Boards

Paperie In Bloom Pinterest Inpspired Chrysanthemum Mirror

Paperie In Bloom Chrysanthemum Note Cards

Paperie In Bloom Chrysanthemum Bouquet

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I invite to come back tomorrow as I unveil November’s featured bloom as well as a few other announcements.  Have a great night.

Michelle